Since the implementation of the “Ebola Declaration Form”, which is a travel history declaration form for Ebola screening, on October 21, 2014, a total of three incoming passengers reported having visited the Ebola-affected country in West Africa. The third passenger completed the 21-day monitoring period on November 13. The passenger is a foreign national who visited Guinea during October 8 and October 23 and departed Africa and arrived in Taiwan on October 31. During the visit to West Africa, the passenger was not exposed to any Ebola patients. During the monitoring period, the passenger measured body temperature twice daily and had not developed fever or Ebola symptoms.

The first two passengers completed their 21-day monitoring period on November 8 and 7, respectively. One of them is a Taiwanese businesswoman and the other is a Japanese businessman. Neither of them had developed fever or Ebola symptoms during their monitoring period. As of November 13, Taiwan CDC has received a total of 25,288 completed forms. Taiwan CDC appreciates all incoming travelers’ support and compliance for the new measure.

Taiwan CDC reminds the public that although the risk of Ebola being imported into Taiwan is low, it cannot be eliminated and everyone needs to stay vigilant for the disease. To prevent the transmission of Ebola virus, Taiwan CDC once again urges all travelers arriving in Taiwan from Europe and Dubai to fill out the Ebola Declaration Form truthfully and report to the quarantine station at the airport voluntarily. If suspected symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or rash develop, please call the toll-free hotline 1922(or 0800-001922) for assistance in seeking medical attention in order to ensure the health and well-being of all.

Taiwan CDC advises travelers visiting Ebola-affected areas of West Africa, including Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, to avoid visiting hospitals or having contacts with patients. In addition, travelers are urged to monitor their own health for 21 days after their return to Taiwan. If symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or rash develop, please call the toll-free hotline 1922(or 0800-001922) and voluntarily inform the doctor of any recent travel and exposure history to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, physicians are advised to stay vigilant for suspected cases, inquire about such patients’ travel and exposure history, and notify the health authority immediately of any suspected cases to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures such as case reporting, specimen collection, isolation of patients, and placing contacts in quarantine in order to prevent further transmission of the disease. Furthermore, healthcare workers are urged to stay alert, don on appropriate personal equipment while attending to patients because initial signs and symptoms are atypical of Ebola, and follow infection control and prevention guidelines such as washing hand frequently, paying attention to respiratory hygiene, avoiding splashing of body fluids. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at: www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).